Forming machine



.July 14, 1936.' wc. VAN DRESSER ET A1.

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FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY July 14, 1936 w. GAVAN DREssER ET Ar. 2,0479H FOBMING MACHINE w Filed Jan. 2, 1954 6..Sheet.S-Shee't 2 v ATTORNEY July M, 193. w. c. VAN DREssER ET AL. 290479717 FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet '3 INVENTORS ATTO RN EY July 14, 1936- w. c. VAN DREssER ET Al. 2,047,717

VFoRMINGf MACHINE I Filed Jan. 2, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet` 5 INVENTOFS` ATTO RN EY July'14, 1936- w. c; VAN DREssER Er Al. 2,047,717

FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2., 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 193e y PATENT oFrlcE l FORMING MACHINE William C. ,Van Dresser and Wesley B. Van

i Dresser,V Detroit, Mich.,

assignors to Van Dresser Specialty Corporation, Detroit, Mich., Y a corporation of l Michigan Application January 251934, Serial No. 794,317

` e2 claims. (c1. V14o-71) This invention relatesv to a forming machineA and has particular 'reference to a machine Yfor bending Wire or the like into a desired shape.

u One ofthe primary objects Vof vthis invention is to provide a machine `of tlle'above mentioned character which will impartdesired bends to a wire at spaced points throughoutlthe length thereof without subjecting the portions of said ,wire between said spaced points to -any bending loaction whatever. Y v More particularly the inventionprovides a machine for reversely bending or crimping a strip of wire or the like at spaced points throughv out the length of the Wire to form a flexible pad or mat in strip form. The-reverse bends or crimps in the Wire constitute the longitudinal edges of the strip or m'at formed and these bentportions of the Wire are connected by straight vsections of the Wire WhicheXtend transversely of this strip. 20 It is a feature of the machine that mats orY strips of any desiredwidth may be-formedand thatthe" straight portions of the vvire extending transverseli7 of the mat Will be wholly free fromjany permanent sets and will thus be extremely flex- 5 able. Y

`transverse sectionsrof the mat may be .varied to thus vary the flexibility ofthe mat or pad as a unit. Y

The invention provides further meansfor .ad- Y justing the degree ofbendingimparted `to the i yWire to the end lthat thetransverse sections of "the mat may be caused toY lie closer together or` Figure 3 is a Vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Y

5O"4substantially on the line 44-4 of Figure2;

Figure 5 is a detail perspectivelview of a portion of the machine showing the. positions that i certain parts of the machineassume during'a 55Vpc'irtion of the operation ofthe machinef'l reference is had to the accompanying drawings Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken l Figure 6 is a view'similar 'to Figure showing the parts of the machine during another portion of the operation thereof;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional View of one of the elements of the machine;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 8--8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line ll-lll of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken on the line lI-I I of Figure 2;

Figure 12 isa transverse sectional View taken substantially on the line I2-l2 of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line I3-I3 of Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line Ill- I4 of Figure 2;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary end elevational viewof the structure shown in Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a detail perspective View of one of the elements of the machine;

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for forming a mat `orstrip of the above mentioned character in Yvvhichthe fullnessl of the 'Figure 17 is a detail perspective View of a member which cooperates with the members shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line IB-l of Figure 2; and

Figurel 19 is a fragmentary plan view of the crimped Wire strip or pad formed by the machine.

In application Serial Number 683,663, entitled Spring cushion and filed by William C. Van

.l Dressenthere is disclosed a mat adapted to be interposed between the coil springs of a spring Y cushion and the upholstered cover pad thereof Q toy prevent the pad from Working down into the centers of the coil springs of the unit or into the spaces betweenl the coil springs.

The construction disclosed in the said application comprises a crimped strip of wire and helical springs extending longitudinally of the crimped strip and secured to the edges thereof. The machine forming the subject matter of this applir cation is adapted to form the crimped strip of Wire for use in the lconstruction of matsrsuch as disclosed in said application No. 683,663.

A fragment of a crimped strip of wire or mat adapted to be formed by` a machine constructed in accordance With the teachings of this inventionis disclosed in Figure 19. By reference to this gure it will be noted that the Wire 2|] has formed therein atspaced points throughout its length the reverse bends 2|, these reverse bends being connected by straight sections of the Wire, these latter sections being designated by the reference character 22. It is important in forming a mat of this character that the straight portions 22 of the wire be not subjected to any bending stresses whatever during the forming operation, since each time a wire is bent it receives a partial set and becomes less resilient. Thus the present invention contemplates the provision of a machine in which the reversely bent portions 2| may` be formed in the wire with practically no handling Whatever of the intermediate straight'portions 22. Further, it is important that means be provided for adjusting the amount of bend imparted tothe reversely bent portions 2| to thus regulate the spacing of the transverse members 22 longitudinally of the strip or mat. Therefore, the present invention provides a machine in which the degree of bending imparted to the wire may be readily adjusted. Still further, it is important in the construction of amat such as that illustrated that the fullness of the cross wires 22 be regulated and therefore the present invention provides means for accurately controlling the bowing of these portions of the wire during the bending or forming operation. Having thus briefly outlined some of the many objects of the` present invention, reference is now made top Figures 1 to 18 inclusive of the .drawings wherein a machine capable of accomplishing the above and numerous other results is described.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that the machine comprises a base 25 suitably supported in spaced relation to the oor by legs or the like 26. ASupported on the base 25 are two substantially inverted U-shaped frames designated by the reference characters 21 and 28. These frames `are spaced from each other and, outwardly from the center of the machine top rovide between them a space` for` receiving certain parts of the machine as will hereinafter be more fully described. Each inverted U-shaped frame comprises vertical legs 33, and 3|, these legs being connected by a horizontal base 32. To aid in describing the machine, the word inwardly willr be utilized to mean toward the center ofthe machine as viewed in Figure 2, while the word "outwardly will be used to indicate away from the center as viewed in Figure 2.y Thus the legs 30 are the inner legs of the U-shaped frames, while the legs 3| are the outer legs thereof.r

Journalle-d in the legs 30 and 3| and adjacent the base 25, is a main drive shaft 33 comprising axially aligned shafts 34 and 34' connected to gether with shearable pins 35 carried by flanged members secured to the adjacent ends of the shafts. inserted in the flanges to insure prompty severance. of the pins in the event any of the movable parts of the machine become jammed. This shaft may be driven in any desired manner by. a suitable motor or the like (not shown). Also journalled in the legs 30 and 3| and extending parallel tothe shaft 33 and above the same is an auxiliary shaft 36, this shaft being driven from the shaft 33 by suitable reduction gearing designated generally` space between the two inverted U-shaped frames,

is a shaft 40. This shaft is rotatably driven with a step by step movement by an indexing means shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 11 of the If desired, hardened sleeves 35' may ber drawings. By reference to these gures it will be noted that there is secured to the shaft 36 by means of a pin 4|, an eccentric 42. Embracing this eccentric so as to be actuated thereby is a strap 43, this strap being extended to form an arm 44 which carries at its upper end a pawl 45, this pawl being urged by a spring 46 into engagement with teeth 41fon a ratchet wheel 48 which is secured to the shaft'40. A pin 49 is carried by the arm 44 and engages in a slot in the pawl 45 to hold the pawl against rotation and to thus hold the toothed end of the pawl in proper relation to the teeth 41. For holding the arm 44 in such a position that the -pawl 45 will engage the teeth 41, there is providedv an arm 50 having its one end* rotatably journalled on the shaft 40 as at 5| and having its other end rotatably journalled on a pin V5,2 whichis :carried by the free end of the arm 44. For preventing backward movement of the ratchet wheel 48 there is provided a pawl 53 ,which is -urgedinto engagement with the teeth 41. by thefspring 54. T his lpawl 53 isV carried by a supporting bracket 55, ,the ends of this bracket rotatably. receiving the shafts 36 and 40.

With this structure it willbe apparent that upon` veach-l rotation ofthe shaft 36, the arm44 will be reciprocated to advance the ratchet wheel 48 andthus thevshaftadenitevamount. Obviously, the amount of rotative movement imparted to the shaft 40 at each movement thereof will depend upon thethrowof theeecentric and the spacingof the teeth 41.

Thershaft 4|),carries andurotates the forming drums v56V and 51. These drums are similar in construction except-ofcourse, that one is a right hand drum` whilethe other is a left hand drum. Iny View therefore,o f th@ similar construction of these drums, the structureof ,one` only will be described.,

Referring thenviparticularly'to forming drum 51, thisndrumissecured'bybolts 60 to Aa hub 6|. Rotative adjustment oftheihdrum with reference to the hub,@provided-by;threading the bolts 6E) intothe drumas at 62 theboltspassing through circumferentially extending slots 63 in the hub. The hub is keyed to the shaft.40,as at 64 for adjustment longitudinally thereof and may be secured in adjusted position by pin 65.y

As illustrated in Figures 2and 3,; the drum is provided with radially arranged pins 66.. These pins are slidably mounted in bores 61 formed in the drum and-are normally urged inwardly toward the axis of the drum byvsprings 68; To provide for this inward movement of the pins, the outer face of the drum is recessed centrally as at 69, the inner ends ofthe pins projecting into this recess. D etamablyj secured to the outer end of each pin 66 .is a forming, pin or member 10, the detachable connections Iproviding for the ready substitution of forming members of different sizes.

Forv limiting inwardmovementhof the pins 66. there is provided a cani member 15 which is bolted to the adjacentportions 30' of the inner face of theadjacent leg.3|l.;` The major portion of the periphery of the cam-mernber` 15 .is concentric with-theaxis `of the druml 51 and is so spaced in` wardly from the periphery of the drum that when Y the pins ride onthis part of thecam, members 10 do not project beyond the periphery of the drum. Through apredetermined portion of its periphery, however, 'thencam member is provided with aI raised cam surface 16 which holds the pins in such a position thatthe` ends 10 thereof project beyond 75;

1ior1:ra'ising` the pins so that the lower Yends thereof will rest on the surface 16, there is prol vided a member shown in detail in Figure 17 of the `drawi ngs,.this member being designated by the reference character 11. lIr'his member is an elongated arm having a slot 18 through which the shaft 40- extends. At its lower end the arm 11 carries a roller 19 which rides on a cam 89 formed onLtheshaftSG. Adjacent its lower end the arm '11 is provided with a shoulder 8| which is engaged by a spring `pressed. plunger 82 carried `by the adjacent portion of the adjacent leg 3B. It will be apparent that the plunger'82 constantly tends to force Ithe arm-11 downwardly and thus holds the roller 19 thereof in engagement with the cam Bil. Y f i ils-indicatedin `Figure 3 of the drawings, the

portions 3G* of the leg 3l) to which the cam member'i is secured are spaced to provide a way 85 `in which the arm 'l1 may vertically reciprocate It will be understood `that the major part of the arm 11 lies in the plane of the portions Sil of the "member Stand thus slides on the outer face of the cam member 15. 1 Y

'At its upper end the member 11 is provided w1th an inwardly projecting portion 89 which slidesin agroove B1 formedon the outer face of the cam inemberf 15, this groove being immediately Vin advance ofthe surface 16 of the cam member. 'Theportion 86 of arm 11 is provided with a cam surface 88 shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 17 of the drawings, this surface being adapted to `-engage the lower ends-of the pins E5@ to raise the same ontothe surface 16.

The drum 51 is'provided on its periphery and adjacent its inner edge with an annular band 99. This band is rotatably adjustable with reference to the forming drum, this adjustment being provided by bolts 9| which pass through elongated 'slots 92 in the drum and which are threaded as at 93 in the band. The band carries on its outer periphery pins S4, vthese pins being adapted to :limit bowing of the wire as will hereinafter be `that their outer ends are substantially flush with 55 the peripheries of vthe drums. As the drums rotate however, the pins are successively elevated and held in elevated position during a `predetermined portion of the rotation of the drum, this period being determined by the length of the cam surfaces 16. y The pins 66 of the drum 51 are staggered with reference to the pins 66 of the drum 55 as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Further, the cams are oppositely positioned so that during actuation of the machine the pins are 'alternately' elevated. .Thus, for example, a pin |56 of drum 51 willbe elevated and moved into engagement withV its associated cam surface 16 and fthen'at the next indexing movement of the "drumsfa pin B6 `of the drum 55 will be elevated 'and `movedinto `engagement with its associated rcam surface 1t.` The manner of this operation andthe reason therefor will becomemore apparent, as the following description proceeds.

`VAssociated with-'each forming drum are recip- 'together form a guide-way for the reciprocating rocable jaw' members adapted to embrace each pin 10 shortly after it is elevated to crimp or bend the wire around the same. Since these jaw members and their actuating mechanisms are similar in construction although opposite, one only will be described in detail.

Referring then rst to Figure 2 of the drawings, Vit will be noted that the portion 32 of the inverted U-shaped frame 28 is provided with an elevated portion lill).V Bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface of this portion |08 is a plate as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. Secured to the upper` face of this plate as by bolts or the like I 02 shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, are members |93 and |94 which block |05. It will be noted that this block reciprocates in sucha direction that it moves inwardly and outwardly with reference to the center of the machine and thus with reference to the forming drum with which it is associated.

Pivotally secured intermediate theirends to the block |05 as by pivot pins |05 are jaw members |01. "The inner ends of these'jaw members carry rollers |98 adapted to engage the wire to bend 25" the same around the forming pins 19 as clearly illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. The jaw members are normally heldapart by a spring |09 being urged toward each other against the force exerted by the spring by a wedge member ||0 30y which engages the outer ends of the jaws. It will be noted that when the jaw members are moved outwardly as illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, the roller carrying inner ends thereof are in spaced relation to each other and vout of the 35 path of travel of thepins 19. When, however, the jaw members are moved inwardly, as illustrated in Figure 9, the wedge engages the outer ends of the jaw members urging the inner roller carrying ends thereof toward each other. Further at this time the jaw members have been moved inwardly sufliciently to embrace the pin 'ill then in the path of their reciprccatory movement.

The wedge member is adjustable to vary the actuation of the jaw members and for this purpose the wedge member is carried on a shank I l 5 which passes through an elongated slot in block |05 and which is integral with a base ||6 which is slidable in a groove H1 formed in the plate 0|. The base I6 threadedly receives the end of an adjusting screw I8 this screw being rotatably mounted in a bore in theplate 19| andbeing held against longitudinal movement in this bore by a pin H8 as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 9 of the drawings. It will be apparent that by rotating the screw i8, the base of the wedge member may be moved longitudinally ofthe groove |11 to thus adjust the position of the wedge member with reference to the outer ends of the jaw members.

For reciprocating the block 85, there is secured to this block a strap |20 and this strap carries at its outer end a roller |2| which is received in a cam groove |22 formed in a disc |23. This disc is secured to a supporting member |24 which is 65. xed to a vertical shaft |25, this shaft being journalled in a portion 32 of the frame 28 and in a bearing |26, which projects inwardly from the leg 3| of the frame. The shaft |25 carries at its lower end a bevel gear |21 ywhich is engaged by a bevel 70 g when one set of jaw members is'in its innermost 75 position, the other is nits outermost position as clearlyillustrated inl Figure 1 yof the drawings. This opposite actuation of the jaw members is` of course, effected by properly designing the cam discs |23, as also clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

For positioning the wire to be formed with reference to the forming pins 10, there is provided an oscillating arm |30. This arm is pivotally sup- 1Q@ ported at its one end in a block |3| which is supported from the frames 21 and 28 by a suitable strap I 32. This structure is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. Throughout the major portion of its length the arm |30 is bifur- 155. cated and embraces and rides on a supporting guide bar |35. This bar is secured at its ends to plates I 36 supported by standards |31 from the portions of the frames 21 and 28.

For oscillating the bar |30, there is provided a erod |40, the length of this rod being adjustable by a turn buckle |4| located intermediate the ends of the same. At its one end the rod |40 is pivotally secured to the bar |30, while at its other end the rod is secured to a disc |42 which is fixed 255. to an extension of shaft l vwhich is associated with the frame 20. This structure will be more clearly understood by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The connection between the rod and the disc |42 may be adjusted radially of 30o the latter by virtue of the slot |43 formed in the disc. It will be apparent that the turn buckle |4| and the slot |43 provide means for varyingthe movement of the arm |30 incidentto rotation of the disc |42. By shortening or lengthening the 3 5?, rod |40 by means of the turn buckle, the whole path of travel of the arm |30 may be shifted laterally or transversely of the machine. In other words, the arm maybe caused to'move closer to one side of the machine or the reverse ofthis.

,mkBy adjusting the rod radially of the disc. |32 in the slot |43, the extent of the movement of the arm |30 maybe adjusted to thus cause the free end thereof to sweep a longer or shorter path, as desired.

45e` Referring now tothe free end ofthe arm |30, it will be noted that by reference to Figures 5 and 7 .of the drawings this end of the arm carries a vertically disposed bushing and' that this bushing is bored to receive a pin I5 A spring |52 oidisposed within the. bushing engages a shoulder on the pin to normally urge the pin downwardly beyond the lower end of the bushing to the position shown in dotted line in Figure '7. Downward movement of the pin |5| is limited by a cross arm 5551153 which is carried by the upperend of the pin 5|, this cross arm engaging in a notch |54 in the upper end of the bushing when the pin is in its lowermost position.

The cross arm |53 serves a second purpose in 600 that it provides means by which the pin may be elevated against the force exerted by the spring |52. For this purpose the cross arm |53 Yis eX- tended and has its one end disposed'between pins |55'carried by the end of the arm |30 with the result that the cross arm is prevented from rotation and is held in a position coincident with the longitudinal axis of the arm |30.

Engageable with the cross arm |53 are cam membersY |60, one of these cam members being a' secured to the upper face of each of the plates |36. It will be'noted that the cam members |60 areV adjustable toward and awayffromthe center. of the forming machine by virtue of -the slots 75,.; |||l formed in the bodyV portions of these cam members, ythe securing bolts |62 ipassingwthroughgg these slots.

By referenceV to Figures 1 and 5.ofthedraW-jings, it will be noted that the cam members |60. are so positioned that each timethe arm |36- 5g approaches the end of its oscillatory movement.;v the cross arm |53 is engaged by one or the other of the cam members and the pin |5| is thus elevated to the position shown in full lines in Fig: ure '1 of the drawings. This elevation ofl the pin-106 |5| releases the engagement of this pin with the;v wire as will hereinafter be described.

After the wire has been formed to the.,shapc indicated in Figures 1 and 19, the stripv thusl formed leaves the maehine'from the rear end .155'

adapted to be wound. To prevent the adjacent 25e convolutions of the strip of wire wound on the reel from becoming hooked together, a strip of paper is wound between each vconvolution of the stripl of wire. The structure for accomplishing this result is shown in Figures 2, 3 and 13 and byoef.

reference to these gures it will be noted that suitably journalled on a shaft |1| disposed below Y the base 25 is a roll of paper |12. 'Ihe paper from this roll passes upwardly over the base 25-andv then rearwardly belowthe chute |65 and to the35' reel |10. As the reel is rotated, the strip of paper; is wound thereon and the strip of formed wire is also wound thereon between each convolution of f the paper. It might be noted that the operationv of winding the strip of wire on the drum.isn4|?f.

started by first fastening one end of thestrip of paper to the reel and then rotatingv the reel. the strip of wire being picked up by-thepaper and carried with the same around thereel. as.

the latter rotates. 45.

The reel |10 is, as illustrated in Figures12; and 13, supported on a standard |;,by.means of a shaft ISI which is journalledin this standard. A set screw |82 engaging the periphery of thel shaft IBI frictionally restrains thesarneagainstf59fP rotation to prevent reverse rotation of the reel..

At its one end the reel is preferably slidably. keyed to the adjacent end ofthe shaft |8|.as. indicated by the reference character |83. The

other end of the reel carries a stub shaft |84.V 5?? Loosely mounted on the shafts I8I andy |84l so as to rock thereon is a yoke formed of the.Y arms |85 and |86 and the cross member |81. Leg E86 of this yoke carries a pawlV |88 adapted to engage a ratchet wheel |89 on the .shaft |8| so that upon rocking of the yoke the shaft. |8|.- and thus the reel or rollr |10 is rotated.

It constitutes a feature of this invention thatJ the amount of rotation of the roll |10 isvaried' as the diameter of the roll of formed wire wound; thereon increases. This is accomplished bypro- Viding a roller which rests on the rollof.vv formed wire wound on the reel andfwhich slidably mounted in slots |96 .and |91 formedvinthe legs |85 4and |86 respectively. It-will-be ap-` parent that as the diameter of the roll of formedc wire increases, the roller |95 will be moved up., wardly further away from the axes of the shafts. |84'and |8I. Themeans forrocklng the,yoke 755.

tai/04.3171? Y is connected to the yokeby meansl ofthe roller, thisbeing accomplished `by projecting the shaft of the roller |95 beyond theleg |86. Rotatably journalled on the projecting-end of thisshaft. is a sleeve |98 to which an arm |99.is.V connected, this arm carrying at itsotherend a loop 200 which carries a roller 20| which rides on. a cam 202 mounted on the shaft 36. The-cam is adapted to` rockthe yoke in the` direction indicated. by the arrow in Figure 13 of the. drawings, .there being provided a spring 20|) connected to the standard |80 and to the arm |-99,for returning the arm and thusvthe yoke to its origina-l position. With the arm |99 connected to theyokein this manner it will be apparent that as the-diameter of the-roll of formed wire increases the yoke will be rocked a lesser degree so that at all times Vthe reel will be rotated just sufliciently to smoothly receive the formed wire. l

For the purposeof removing the reelf|10when a suilicient quantity of formed wirel has been wound thereon, the arm |85 of thezyoke is hinged to the cross member |81 as at` 205. A rotatable keeper 206 carried bythe cross member |781, passes throughl the slot |96 in4 the arm V|85 and may be rotated to apposition such as shown-in Figure 15 where the -keeper will engage theY outer face of the arm |85 tohold itin position'as shown in-Figure 12. Obviouslyr'when itis `desired to place a new reel onthe shaft* |8|, the keeper 2061may be turned to the position shownin dotted lines in Figure 15 of the drawingsl at which time the arm |85may be swung about its pivot 205 andthe'reel |i10-removed'from the shaft IBI.

Before proceeding with an outline of theoperation of the machine, it is `tobenoted that a platform or supportingtable-'2I0 is supportedon the front of the machine byrangle brackets 2|| secured in any suitablemanner to the frames 21 and 28. spaced therefrom throughout' the major .portion of 1 its length, isa' strap `2 I2 under which the wire passes'to the forming drums. f

`It is to be noted further that each member .-.|04 is provided with a slot 2|5'intofwhichi the lower end of Athepin |5| movesduringthe lastpart of its oscillatory travel. Each member |04 further carries a block or cam 2| @which engagesthe outer end of the adjacent-jaw memberrwhen' the jaws vare moved outwardly` asCIearlyLiIluStrated in Figure 8 of the drawings.` -Shieldssrz220 `are provided, these shieldsbeing disposed over the members90 asclearlyillustrated in Figures 1, 2, 5.and 6 to. prevent the wire fromfbecoming disengaged from the pins 94. 'Ihe forward ends of these shields are preferably/flared upwardly to facilitate passage of the Wire beneath the shields .while theV rear ends'of thei shields may be'secured with the receiving reel will berocked by its cam 202. Further, during rotation ofshaft 36,]the shafts |25 will bejdriven to rotate the camdiscs `|23 to thus reciprocate the ijaw members and to also rotate the disc |42 and thus oscillate the Varm |30. -Itwill be understood.4 that thev gears are so proportioned' that the `parts will Vbe op- Secured to the plate orf table 2|0, but

.it is released by the pin |5|.

Y erated in a definite sequence to obtain the desired results.

The wire to be formed is supplied to the machine from any suitable source (not shown), the source however, being preferably remote from the machine and located in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the machine. The fact that the source of supply of the wire is remote from the machine provides that at the point where the wire is engaged by pin |5| on arm |30, the wire is relatively loose and may be bodily swung by the pin |5| without imparting any bending action to the wire. In fact the arrangementis such that the pin does not engage the wire-20 at all during the first half of the travel of the wire from one side of the machine to the other, the pin engaging the wire at about the. center of the machine and easily swinging4 it to the opposite side of the machine.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings it will be noted that the jaw members at the right hand side of the machine are in their innermost position and are crimping the wire about that pin on forming drum 51 which is at this instant in alignment with the. path of reciprocation of the ljaw members. The forming drums are of course, stationary, and the arm |30 is moving to the left as viewed in this gure swinging the wire toward the drum 56. Pin A of drum 56, thisI pin being shown in Figures 1 and 4, has not as yet been elevated .by its respective member 11, the position of this pin with reference to its member 11 being more clearly illustrated in Figure 4:. The arm |30 may therefore swing the wire over the pin A, the arm |30 continuing its travel until the pin |5| thereof is elevated by the cam members |60 on the left of the machine to release the wire. Immediately prior to the raising of the pin |5| however, the member 11- associated with drum-56 is elevated by its cam 80 to thus elevate pin .A so that the wire is caught by this pin as soonas `The next indexing movement of the drums which occurs immediately after this operation would move pin A to the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the pin at this time being in alignment withthe jaw members and resting on the forward edge of cam surface 16. It will be understood that Figure 3 is a View of forming drum51 but it will. be apparent that the showing therein illustrates the positio-n which the pin A will assume when the drums are moved one step from the position shown in Figure l of the drawings.

As soon as the wire is released by the pin |5|, the wire swings backwardly to the center of the machine and the arm 30 starts its movement toward the right of the machine as viewedin Figure, 1V of the drawings. The pin |5| Yofl this arm engages the wire at about the center of the machine and swings the same to the right and over pin B which at this time has been moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 ofthe drawings, this position being designated by the reference character B. It will be understood that when pin B is in the position of B it bears the same relation to its cam member 11 as the pin A bears to its cam member 11 in Figure 4 of the drawings.

This position of pin E and the position of the wire with reference to this pin is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, and by reference to this `ilgure it will be noted first that the wire has passed Vover pin B and now lies beyond this pin. Further,

- adjacent jaw members.

the adjacent corner C of the adjacent jaw member. The corner C is notched as indicated at C' to loosely receive the wire and thus prevent the same from being elevated by raising of the pin |5|. It might be noted that at this instant the Wire would tend to swing the forward jaw member toward clamping position if it were not for the associated block 2|6 which prevents this undesired movement of the jaw member as clearly illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings.

Referring now again to Figure 5 of the drawings it will be understood that the pin B' will now be elevated by its respective member to a posi- Y tion to engage the wire when the latter is released by the raising of the pin |5|. It will be noted further from this View that the pin |5| is just entering slot 2|5 and that cross arm |53 is about to be engaged by cam members |69 and pin Y |5| thus elevated. This elevation of pin |5| will release the wire, the body portion of the wire swinging Vback to the center of the machine but the adjacent portion being caught by the pin B which has now been elevated.

Immediately after this operation, the forming drums will be indexed one step to move pin B to the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, in which position it will be noted that this pin ls in alignment with the path of reciprocation of the The jaw members will then be moved forwardly to bend the wire about pin B this gripping action of the jaw members being effected by the wedge member |||l associated with these jaw members.

The crimped or reversely bent portions of the wire will be retained on the forming pins 1D as long as these pins are held in elevated position by the cam surfaces 16 of their respective cam members 15. Thus the formed wire will be maintained on the forming drums until the point of discharge is reached, this point being designated by the reference character D in Figures 1 and3 of the drawings. It will be noted particularly by reference to Figure 3 that at point D the pins 66 ride off the cam surface 15 so that the forming pins 10 are retracted to permit the formed wire to drop from the drums and into the chute |65.

Since, as brought out before, the forming reel is being rotated by a step by step movement and since the paper |12 is being wound thereon, it will be apparent that the formed wire will be picked up and wound upon the receiving reel in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 12 of the drawings. As the diameter of the reel of formed wire increases, the arc of oscillation of the yoke associated with the reel will be varied by virtue of the raising of the roller |95. Thus the formed wire and the paper will be evenly wound on the receiving reel as will be clearly apparent.

From the above it will be apparent that the invention provides a forming machine which will eiciently operate to provide desired bends in a wire at spaced points throughout the length thereof. By virtue of the fact that the portions of the wire between the bent portions thereof are not subjected to bending stresses during operation of the machine it will be apparent that these straight portions of the wire will receive no partial set whatever and will thus be freely flexible.

It will be apparent furtherthat the pins 94 being engaged by the straight portions of the Wire as clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings will limit bowing of these portions of the wire during the bending of the Wire at one side of the machine and the swinging of the Wire to the pposite side of the machine. 'I'he fact that the members90 mounting the pins 94 are rotatively adjustable with reference to the forming drums provides that the pins 94 may be adjusted relative to the forming pins '|0 to thus vary the amount of bowing of the straight sections of the Wire and thus the fullness of the straight sections of the wire.

Since the pins 10 must be accurately located with reference to` the reciprocating jaw members, and since vfurther the pins on one drum must be accurately located with reference to the pins on the other drumgthe invention provides for rotative adjustment between each forming drum and its respective hub member 6|. Further, since the hub members may be adjusted longitudinally of shaft 40, it will be apparent that within certain limits the width of the strip of wire which is formed may be varied; For varying the degree of bending imparted to the wire, the wedge members Ilare adjustable to thus adjust the movement of the clamping portions of the jaw members toward each other. Further, since the forming pins 10 are readily removable from the pins 66 by virtue of their threaded connection to these pins, it will be apparent that forming pins of different sizes and even of different shape may be readily substituted for those disclosed. The oscillation of the arm |30 with reference to the center of the machine as well as the length of the arc of oscillation ofv this arm may be readily controlled by virtue of the turn buckle provided in the rod |40 and by virtue of the fact that this rod is adjustable radially of the disc |42 by virtue of slot |43.

It is an important feature of the machine that the formed wire is held on the pins '|0 until these pins move a substantial distance away from the points where the wire is bent. By thus maintaining the formed wire on the forming drums for a substantial time after the forming operation, danger of slipping of the formed Wire about the pins is eliminated as is also the danger of pulling of the formed wire toward the point of forming. Thus the wire is not subjected to any strain which might cause a set in the straight portions of the wire which has already been formed.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall Within the purview of the attached claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

l.v In a machine for forming bends in a wire at spaced points through the length thereof, forming members about which the portions of the wire to be bent are shaped, means for bending the portions of the Wire to be bent about said forming members, and additional means loosely engaging the Wire for moving the portions of the Wire to be bent into position to be engaged by said forming members and by said bending means While maintaining the intermediate portions of said wire free from bending stresses.

2. In a machine of the class described, spaced forming members about which the portions of the wire to be bent are shaped, means for feeding a length of wire to said forming members, and means between said forming members and engaging the wire for limiting bowing of the wire between said forming members during feeding and bending thereof.

"f 3'. In a machineof the 'class described, spaced .bending mechanisms,- means for feeding a length of wire to saidfmechanisms, .and means associated ing and bending thereof.

' ff 4; In a machine of the class described, spaced .'wire bending mechanisms, means for feeding a V`length of wireto said bending mechanisms, and

Apins disposed between said bending mechanisms Yand :adjustable relative thereto for limiting bowing'of theA wire` during feeding and bending thereof.

*i 5.-In al machine for forming bends in a wire `at spaced points throughout the length thereof, apair of bending mechanisms, means for alter- ,vnatelyV actuating said mechanisms, means for -feeding alternate portions of the wire to be bent to one of said mechanisms and the other porf: 6.- InV a-machine of the class described, a formlingr drum, means for rotating said drum, means `formoving a wire to beabentback and forth over :said:` drum, forming members carried by said drum and movable into and out of the path of -travel'of the-wire to be bent and means operating -tomove one of said'forming members into the path oftravel of the wire each time the wire is moved over the drum.

'7. In a machine of the class described, a form- V.ing drum, means for moving a wire to be bent `back and forth over said drum, forming members carried by said drum and reciprocable radially lthereof, means for-rotating said drum, a movable lcam arranged'to move successively said forming members radially outwardly ofV said drum to .-zcause'the sarneto successively `engage the wire,

means operating to -embrace each forming mem- .berf while the, same is in engagement with the wire to bend the wire about the forming members, and a stationary cam for holding said formi-ng members in their outermost position during "a portion of the rotationof the drum.

1 8..'Ina machine ofthe class described, spaced forming pin carrying members, means for mov- ,ing said :members in parallel planes, forming pins carried byvsaid members, a wire bending means associated withveach pin carrying member and arranged' to successively embrace the pins car- `-ried thereby andmeans for swinging a wire to be formed alternately over said members foren- -gagement with the forming pins carried thereby.

9. In a machineof the class described, spaced forming drums, means for rotating said drums "with afstep by step movement, an oscillating arm forswi-nging'a wire to'be'formed alternately over vsaid drums, pins carried by saiddrums adapted to @engage the wire swung overV the drums, and

means' for varyingthe length of the'arc ofoscillationof said arm.

l0. In a machine of the class described, `recip- `rcrrcating'clamping jaws, forming members adapt- .moving said members to successivelybring the same into: the path of reciprocation of said rsf :ciampi-ngz.; jaws.

' ll. In amachine of the class described, forming members about which portions of a wire to be formed are adapted to be bent, jaw members `pivoted intermediate their ends adapted to embrace said forming members to bend the wire/` about the same, means for reciprocating said jaw members, and means for preventing movement of said jaw members to clamping position during the intervals that said jaw members are-:out of embracing relation with respect to said forming" members.

12. In a machine of the class described, spaced forming drums, means for swinging a wire to be formed alternately over said drums, forming pins carried byisaid drums, means for rotating said drums, means for moving said pins radially outwardly of said drums to engage the wire swung over the same, forming jaws reciprocable relative to said drums, means for interrupting the movement of said drums each time a forming pin thereof is in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said. forming jaws, and means carried by said drums for limiting bowing of said wire between said forming drums.

13. In combination, a machine for'bending a wire at. spaced points throughout the length thereof, a roll for receiving the strip of wire'thus bent, means for rotating said roll to wind the wire strip thereon, ,and means for varying 4the speed of rotationof said roll in dependence upon the diameter of the coil` of wire .strip wound thereon. Y

14. In combination, a machine for forming bends in a wire at spaced points-throughout the 4-length thereof, a reel for receiving the strip of wire thus bent, means for rotating said reel to wind the strip of wire thereon, and means for feeding a strip yof paper between the convolutions of the strip of wire wound on said reel.

l5. In combination, a machinefor forming" bends in a wire at spaced points throughout the lengththereof, a roll for receiving the strip of wire thus formed, a yoke associated with said `roll for oscillation about the axis thereof, a pawl and ratchet connection between said yoke -and 16. In combination, a machine for forming?" bends in a wire at spaced points throughout the length thereof, a reel for receiving the strip of wire thus formed, a yoke associated'with said reel for oscillation about the axis thereof, connections between said yoke and said reel for ro-'i tating the latter upon oscillation of the yoke, meansassociated with said wire bending machine for oscillating said yoke, and means for varying the extent of oscillation of said yoke in depend-c ence upon the diameter of the roll of wire wound on said reel.

17. In a machine of the class described,.a mov-A ablewire bending means, a forming member adapted to' cooperate with said wire bending means to vbend a wire, means for engaging said forming member with a. wire to be bent, and

`means for moving saidforming member to bring the wire into position to be acted on by said bending means upon movement of the latter,

18. In a machine of the class described, a forming member, clamping jaws adapted to embrace said forming -member to bend a wire about thesame, means for feeding a wire to nbe formed into position to be engaged by said forming memesl ber, and means for moving said forming member to bring the same into position to be embraced by the clamping jaws.

19. In a machine of the class described, a series of forming members, means for moving said forming members along a predetermined path, a wire bending means movable transversely of the path of movement of the forming members and adapted to embrace each forming member as the same is brought into alignment with its path of movement, and means for feeding a wire to be formed into engagement with said forming members.

20. In a machine of the class described, spaced forming drums, means for rotating said drums, means for swinging a wire to be formed alternately over said drums, forming members carried by said drums adapted to engage the wire swung over the drurns, and means successively embracing the forming members on said drums to bend the wire about said forming members.

21. In a machine of the class described, spaced drums, means for swinging a wire to be formed alternately over said drums, forming members carried by said drums and arranged to engage the wire swung over the same, means for rotatting said drums, and a wire bending means associated with each drum and adapted to successively embrace the forming members carried thereby to bend the wire about the same.

22. In a machine of the class described, spaced drums, forming pins carried by said drums, means for feeding a wire into engagement with said pins, means for rotating said drums, forming jaws reciproca-ble relative to said drums, and means for interrupting the movement of said drums each time a forming pin thereof is in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said forming jaws.

23. In a machine of the class described, spaced drums, an oscillating arm for swinging a wire to be formed alternately over said drums, forming pins carried by said drums adapted to engage the wire swung over the drums, means for rotating said drums, forming jaws reciprocable relative to said drums, means for interrupting the movement of said drums each time a forming pin thereof is in alignment with the path of reciprocation of said forming jaws, and means disposed between said drums and adjustable relative thereto for limiting the bowing of the wire between said drums.

24. In a machine of the class described, a series of forming pins, means for moving said series of forming pins along a definite path, means for moving a wire to be bent back and forth over the path of movement of the forming pins, and means for successively moving said pins in an axial direction into the path of movement of the wire whereby the pins are successively engaged by the wire.

25. In a machine of the class described, a forming drum, means for rotating said drum, forming pins carried by said drum and movable radially thereof, means normally maintaining said pins in their innermost position whereby a wire may be swung over said drum without contacting the pins, means for swinging a wire back and forth over the periphery of said drum, and means for successively moving said pins radially outwardly into the path of movement of the wire whereby said pins are successively engaged by the wire.

26. In a machine of the class described, a rotating drum, a series of pins carried by said drum for movement radially thereof, means for successively moving said pins radially outwardly upon rotation of the drum to cause the pins to successively project beyond the periphery of the drum, and means to bend a wire to be shaped about each pin after it has been projected beyond the periphery of the drum.

27. In a machine of the class described, a rotating drum, a series of pins carried by said drum for movement radially thereof, means for successively moving said pins radially outwardly upon rotation of the drum to cause the pins to successively project beyond the peripheryv of the drum, said means acting to maintain each pin projected during a portion of the rotation of the drum, means to bend a wire to be shaped about each pin after it has been projected beyond the periphery of the drum, and a shield arranged to maintain the shaped wire on the pins while they are projected.

28. In a machine of the class described, a rotating drum, a series of pins carried by said drum for movement radially thereof, means urging said pins radially inwardly of the drum, a stationary cam engaging the inner ends of said pins to hold each pin in its projected position during a portion of the rotation of the drum, means for bending a wire about each pin when it is in its projected position, and a shield so located as to retain the shaped wire on the pins while they are projected.

29. In a machine of the class described, a rotatable supporting means, two series of pins carried by said supporting means for movement radially thereof, the pins in one series being staggered with reference to the pins in the other series, means for successively moving said pins radially outwardly upon rotation of the supporting means to cause the pins to successively project beyond the periphery of the supporting means, said pin moving means being so arranged that one pin in one series is rst moved outwardly and then the next pin in the other series is moved outwardly, and means to bend a wire to be shaped about each pin after it has been projected beyond the periphery of the supporting means.

30. In a machine of the class described, a rotating drum, a series of pins carried by said drum and projectable radially thereof, an oscillating arm movable over said drum, a finger carried by said arm and engageable with a wire to move the same over the drum to positions where the wire can be successively engaged by the pins, and means providing for vertical movement of said finger each time it moves the wire to a position to be engaged by one of said pins.

31. In a machine of the class described, a rotating drum, pins carried by said drum for movement radially thereof, an oscillating arm movable over the drum, a nger carried by the arm and engaging a wire to move the same over the drum, and means operating upon rotation of said drum to successively move said pins radially outwardly of said drum into positions whereby said pins successively engage the wire, said finger being mounted for vertical movement in the oscillating arm whereby it may move out of the plane of movement of the wire when the wire is engaged by the pin.

32. In combination, a machine for forming bends in a wire, a reel for receiving the strip of wire thus formed, a pawl and ratchet for rotating the reel, an arm mounted for oscillation and carrying said pawl, a rod associated with the Wire bending machine and adapted to be reciprocated thereby, and means connecting said rod to said arm in such a manner that reciprocation of said rod eiects an oscillation of said arm, said means including a roller mounted for movement in a slot formed in said arm, and a connection between said rolier and said rod, the roller being arranged to rest on the wire strip wound on said reel whereby as the diameter of the roll of wire wound on the reel increases the extent of oscillation of said arm is Varied.

WILLIAM C. VAN DRESSER. WESLEY B. VAN DRESSER. 

